The nine-page bill, a copy of which was obtained first by The Hill, would increase the bank's credit exposure limit from the current $140 billion to $160 billion. The legislation also would require the Government Accountability Office to study the bank's medium-term financing programs.

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It's a bare-bones piece of legislation, with one exception: it would reverse restrictions that Ex-Im officials passed in December preventing the bank from financing overseas power plants that won't adopt greener technology. The coal industry vehemently opposes the restrictions. Manchin, a coal state Democrat, heard their concerns.